Ganesha Chaturthi

Ok, this is my second big Hindu holiday in 10 days. Last week was the birth of Lord Krsishna. These week is Ganesha Chaturi. The discussion of Ganesha Chaturi is below, taken from Wikipedia.

There are a lot of Gods in India, and I must confess that I can't really keep them straight. It's nothing against Hindu--hell, I STILL ain't sure about the current division of labor between Jesus and God (is Jesus the receptionist that patches you through?) and the Holy Ghost is--well, more than a little odd. All I know is that I like the excitement and noise, and deeply respect the faith of those who believe.

Anyway, Genesh showed up at the Mall the other night with a posse of dancers and drum beaters. It was loud and crazy and fun. Any religion that likes to celebrate is good with me!! So take a look.



Ganesha Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) , is the Hindu festival of Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, who is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival. It is the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.
The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The date usually falls between 20 August and 15 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period).
While celebrated all over India, it is most elaborate in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Outside India, it is celebrated widely in Nepal and by Hindus in the United States, Canada and Fiji.